In the b1/b2 section we covered ‘used to’ for past habits which show change from present condition, for example:
- I used to have a lot of friends. (I don’t now)
- I didn’t use to like hockey. (I do now)
We also use used to with the verbs (be) and (get) with ‘used to’. These forms have a similar, yet slightly different meaning. For example:
- The early mornings are hard, bit you will get used to it.
- I wasn’t used to starting work so early, but I’m used to it now.
In both of these sentences we are talking about being ‘accustomed to’ something, so that it is not strange, different or unusual. Instead, it is ‘normal’, familiar and comfortable for us.
However, it is very important to understand that:
- BE used to = the state of being accustomed to something, it’s normal for you.
- GET used to = the process of becoming accustomed to something
The chart below outlines the form used for both (be) and (get) used to with examples.
If we look at the chart we can see a few important features from the examples:
- The form for negative and positive is not the same as with ‘used to’ for past actions, habits, states. We keep the ‘d’ in both. For example:
- Did you use to play rugby? No, I didn’t use to play any sports.
- Did you get used to the language? No, I didn’t get used to it at all.
- The form of BE and GET can change as they are verbs which occur in all tenses, as both are irregular verbs this makes the conjugation a little difficult.
That’s the reason they are in the B2/ C1 section. Knowing how to conjugate quickly into the correct form requires a good deal of ability in the language, in all tenses.
For example:
- I think she’s going to get used to it soon. (be going to)
- If I were used to it such early mornings, it would be easier. (2nd Conditional)
- Have you gotten used to it yet? (Present Perfect)
- I’ve been used to it for a long time now. (Present Perfect)
- I got used to it very quickly. (Past Simple)
- I look forward to being/ getting used to all the changes. (Gerund verbs)
- I want to be/ get used to it as soon as possible. (Infinitive verbs)
- She is
beingused to it now. (Present Continuous – be as stative verb)
Finally, if we think of these two verbs as part of a process, we can see how they are connected.
At Point A the person is unfamiliar with something, they are not used to it.
At point B the person is now familiar with something, they are used to it.
Everything in between Point A and Point B describes the process of getting used to something unfamiliar, until it becomes familiar.
During the process of ‘get used to’ there are many different types of sentences we can make to describe at what point in the journey we are. For example:
- I’m getting used to it, but it’s still a bit strange.
- I will get used to it eventually.
- I am starting to get used to it.
- I’ve almost gotten used to everything now.
When the journey has finished and we ‘are used to’ something, we can talk about the process in the past tenses, for example.
- I got used to it pretty quickly.
- I have gotten used to a lot of new ways of life.
- At first, I thought I would never get used to it, it took a while.